I noticed on your post about "Flare symptoms" you said you get sinus pressure/congestion. I have that too but have never connected it being related to a flare. (I have never really been in remission since dx in 04'. )I thought maybe my sinus issues were due to Remecaide or just well, because it is just one more thing to make my life miserable. (ha ha) Anyways, I get about 1-2 sinus infections a month, and they are really starting to take a toll on me.

Hi irish... I have had CD for 30 odd years and have always had problems with my sinuses . I too suffer from a chronic sinusitis.... my doctor told me that people with autoimmune type disorders tend to have more than one... it made sense to me.... it is exhausting... drains the life right out of you. I have to go on months of antibiotics about twice a year... but then my CD usually takes a beating. My doctor suggested flushing my sinuses with warm water and a pinch of salt... I think you can buy a sinus flusher at the pharmacy... I don't have much success with that because of deviated septums.. but I do know some people who have very good results from practising this flushing everyday. Good luck Irish...Mary51 yr.old retired RN,Crohn's D for last35 yrs..severe esophagitis, migraines,strictures,urethral stricture,depression,probable MS.,RLS, arthritis, PTSD ,general anxiety disorder.

I read somewhere that sinusitis can be a result of Crohn's inflammation. I can't recall just now if it was from the elevated immune globulins or from the high TNF. The underlying reason is the common mucosal immune system - the gut mucosa and the sinus mucosa have a common immune response. A trigger from one location will cause a response to the trigger in the other location. For the TNF control, you can take a probiotic to help control the level. L. reuteri is one: L. reuteri inhibits the production of IL-12, IL-6 and TNF-α - all pro-inflammatory agents. VSL#3 also reduces the inflammatory agents.

Nasal discharge is essentially an allergic type of reaction. The immune globulins that promote allergic responses (usually elevated in Crohn's) have their production inhibited by vitamin E. This is why vitamin E has the reputation of helping asthma. Take 400 IU of vitamin E and 1000 - 2000 mg of vitamin C (Vitamin C restores vitamin E so it is reused) if you do not have a reaction (Diarrhea) from the Vitamin C.

For a nasal rinse that improves on the results of a saline rinse use the following mix: 1 cup of water (warm), 1/4tsp salt, pinch baking soda, 1 Tbsp xylitol (Xylitol is a sugar that prevents bacteria from adhering to the mucosa - should be available at health food stores and pharmacies).